The Bizarre Reason Why Valletta Was Built in Just 15 Years

VALLETTA, MALTA; It sounds like something out of a movie, but the capital city of Malta, Valletta, really was built in just 15 years, and the reason is totally wild!

Back in 1565, Malta was attacked by a huge army from the Ottoman Empire in a battle called The Great Siege of Malta. The knights who defended the island, known as the Knights of St John, fought bravely and finally won. But after the battle, Malta was a mess. Its forts were broken and people were scared the Ottomans might come back.

So, the Grand Master of the knights, Jean Parisot de Valette, had a big idea. He wanted to build a super-strong, brand-new city to protect Malta. He wanted it done, and he wanted it done fast.

Here’s where it gets bizarre. The Pope (yes, the actual Pope in Rome!) was so impressed by the knights that he sent over a famous Italian military engineer named Francesco Laparelli – and a ton of money – to help. With loads of workers, clever planning and serious motivation (nobody wanted another invasion), they started building Valletta in 1566.

In just 15 years, they built the whole city! That included thick stone walls, straight streets, churches and even fancy palaces. It was like the 16th-century version of a superhero city, all done in record time.

Valletta is still standing strong today and is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So next time someone tells you building things takes forever, just tell them about the knights who built a whole capital city in 15 years – all because they were too brave (and maybe a bit stubborn) to let history repeat itself!

#MaltaDaily